Although the Athenian Revolution may offer valuable information, studying Cleisthenes’ reforms that occurred as a consequence would offer insight into what transpired before the reforms and ultimately set Athens on a democracy. First, Cleisthenes’ reforms downgraded the importance of aristocrats and gave more power to local government by reorganizing the political landscape of Athens, a task that would be essential in responding to the wishes of the people following the revolution. Indeed, faction fighting was rampant among the aristocratic families until the legislation of Cleisthenes. Although it has been argued that Cleisthenes tried to create a political advantage for his own family under the guise of political reorganization, his legislation …show more content…
Second, following Josiah Ober’s idea that the “mass action by the Athenian populace was essential in enabling Cleisthenes to bring forth a democratic order,” it may also be argued that this collective action by the people would propel the idea of egalitarian citizenship since a part of Cleisthenes’ reforms included merging aristocrats and ordinary people into new and different tribes. This may imply that differences in social classes played a defining role in Athenian society and aristocrats had more influence on legislation and governance that prompted the people to revolt in 508/507. Indeed, Cleisthenes widened the socioeconomic composition of the Boule, and non-nobles began to play a role in higher-level state administration. Thirdly, a comparison with Solon’s constitution shows that Cleisthenes’ democracy interacted more with the ordinary people, an element that Solon did not follow through …show more content…
Cleisthenes opposed this idea and his reforms transferred control over the question of exclusivity for membership from the aristocratic families to the demes where all free Athenians were now to register following the reforms. This allowed Cleisthenes to mix the population of Attica by dividing the region into ten phyle and encouraged the people to be loyal to their tribes rather than to the aristocratic families. Since members of the tribe would come from different parts of Attica, that meant someone in one town could not be intimidated by an aristocrat because he could now appeal to fellow tribesmen and the tribal assembly from another area for support. Now, they could appeal to people who were not under the control of oppressive nobles in an area because while they were all members of the same tribe now, they lived in different areas of Attica. Thus, they can champion the grievances of their fellow tribesmen elsewhere without fear of repression or negative consequence. Therefore, membership in a deme became the basis of political organization and all Athenians could enjoy equal status as citizens. Building on this system, Cleisthenes created assemblies for each tribe that decide matters while reporting to the Athenian assembly. This action gave
The effects of this go far beyond the imbalance of military power between Athens and her tributaries, however. The Old Oligarch lists four main areas where the existence of the Empire benefits the common people of Athens, thus giving impetus to radicalize democracy and justify the expansion and strengthening of the Empire, and giving is reason to find an ongoing justification for its existence. The first is the building of the disproportionately large Athenian navy. Second is the overall flattening of the Athenian social pyramid, raising the relative status of the lowest classes of society, and exemplified by the way that Athens becomes a magnet for aliens to live and work, and gives unusual freedom and opportunity to slaves. Third is that the allies are compelled to have their court cases tried in Athenian courts, bringing both prestige and financial reward to Athens. Finally, the centralizing effect of these things, and the obvious maritime nature of the Empire, make Athens a trading center, m...
The origin of the Athenian democracy of the fifth and for centuries can be traced back to Solon. Solon was a poet and a wise statesmen but not a Democrat. His constitutional reform package laid the basis on which an aristocrat called Cleisthenes could pioneer democracy. Cleisthenes championed a radical political reform movement which in 508 -507 ushered in the Athenian democratic constitution. Under this political system Athens successfully resisted the Persian onslaughts that victory in turn encourage the poorest Athenian's to demand a greater say in the ruling of their city. In the late 460's a radicalization of power shifted the balance decisively to the poorest sections of society. This was the democratic Athens that laid the foundations of Western rational and critical thought.
Before Solon was name to reform the laws of the city, Athens was in great chaos. Solon had to tackle issues that were within the city itself. Because of the fact that only aristocrats and nobles were given the power to elect man, many of the “common people” were against that notion; as a result, quarrels between the common people and the aristocrats arose. Furthermore, due the the war that the Athenians just finished, and the accumulation of debts, the poorest of the poor had their lands seized and either sold themselves as slaves or their children and family members.
It is surprising indeed that Even today, tyrannies and dictatorships exist in the world when more than two and a half thousand years ago the ancient Athenians had developed a functional and direct form of democracy. What contributed to this remarkable achievement and how it changed the socio-political. scene in Athens is what will be considered in this paper. The paper will have three sections, each detailing the various stages. of political development from the kings of Attica to the time of Pericles when, in its golden age, Athens was at the height of its. imperial power.
This Athenian democracy was the first of its kind, and was certainly not the last. After Cleisthenes returned from exile, he created the first real government of the people – the demos, aroun...
During the age of Pericles, the ideal form of government was believed to be a government formed by all of the citizens regardless of wealth or social standing. This was known as democracy, literally meaning “ government of the people” [Document 3.] This government favored the many instead of the few. Athens was a direct democracy, meaning every citizen participated in debates. Western civilization used this philosophy of government by many, and created an indirect democracy where citizens elect officials to make and enforce laws.
Nobles judged major cases in court and dominated the assembly. Athenian wealth and power grew under the aristocracy. Yet discontent spread over the commoners. Merchants and soldiers resented the power of the nobles and argued that their services to Athens entitled them to more rights. As discontent spread the government slowly moved towards a democracy.
Athenian democracy includes participation of all adult, free, male, citizen, made possible for all. If at the beginning and during the thriving period of the Athens democracy the occupations of a state position was considered to be an worthy duty for the citizens, the taking in of ...
Socrates and I grew up alongside the Athenian democracy, and experienced her vicissitudes in the past seventy years. We have both heard and experienced cycle of five types of governments that Socrates had mentioned. (Plato, Republic 8.547e) Our democracy was established hundreds years ago under Cleisthenes and turned to tyranny under Isagoras. In our childhood, Athens was a timarchy, and then Pericles ruled Athens with the
With his introduction, he divided Athens into ten tribal groups. Before Cleisthenes introduced this new government, only a select few were able to vote. Now since Athens is a direct democracy, people can vote freely on the laws for themselves. Later on, Pericles was able to expand democracy throughout the whole of Athens. It was now not just part of the government but part of everyone's everyday lives. During the time period that Pericles was leader, Athens and the use of democracy flourished. The people were happy and Athens was stable and under control. Life in Athens was not something to complain
Then in the late 460s B.C.E. the step up in pay pushed the lower class to push for a more equal representation in government as well. This leads the to the creation of radical democracy which is the next reason Attica at this time should be considered a “golden age” (Making, 83). In 461 B.C.E. a member of one of Athens most distinguished families, Percles, changed the Athenian government by pushing for a more democratized judicial system (Making, 83). This radical new democratic system essentially pleased both the rich and the poor. It was able to increase participation within the lower classes in the government. As well as give selective leadership such as officials to the wealthy to be elected. Due to the election process the wealthy were forced to listen to the people and really push the ideas of the general population as well as the wealthy. Although this was an effective method of democracy there still was worry of one leader getting to powerful and taking control. Therefore, the method of ostracism was created. This allowed citizens to vote for other citizens they want to be kicked out of Attica for ten years (Making, 84). This commonly was used just as it was intended to keep the higher up officials in check so they do not take too much power. Overall, the use of this radical democracy was extremely effective at providing an equal opportunity for every male citizen to contribute to the government in one way or
...edicted it would, and without a leader like him willing to direct them away from this mindset rather than pander to it to get votes, the political constitution of the city was doomed to dissolve. Speaking of the revolution in Corcyra, which occurred after the Athenian decision to spare Mytilene but before its destruction of Melos, Thucydides wrote, “In peace and prosperity states and individuals have better sentiments, because they do not find themselves suddenly confronted with imperious necessities; but war takes away the easy supply of daily wants and so proves a rough master that brings most men’s characters to a level with their fortunes” (III.82.2). This was precisely the change Athens underwent, and the cause of its eventual demise.
As can be expected from pioneer governmental institutions, Athenian democracy was not perfect. In fact it was far from it. It resulted in the establishment of poor policies by aggressive populists who sought "...private ambition and private profit...which were bad both for the Athenians themselves and their allies." (Thucydides). These self interested populist leaders with personal gain in mind established extensive internal political instability "...by quarrelling among themselves [and] began to bring confusion into the policy of the state." (Thucydides). Repeated opportunities to accept terms of peace after the battles of Pylos (425), Arginusae (406) and Aegospotami (405) were ignored by the inefficient Athenian demos eventually resulting in the devastation of the once dominant city-state. Internal political strife can also be attribu...
The march towards developing a democratic society is often obstructed with societal unrest due to the influence of the status quo on the instruments of power. Before the rule of Solon, Athens underwent this same rule, as there was much discontent among the social classes in Athens. The society suffered financial disparity that often was the trigger for the war among the rich and poor in the society. This was a major factor that forced Solon into power to institute policies that would see a reformed Athens. By so doing, the society was looking for an avenue that would guarantee democracy and a society that is fair for everyone. The city-state of Athens was the epicenter of the revolution for the Athenian democracy during the fifth century BC. In the Athenian democracy, the electorate voted for the legislation of bills instead of a direct democracy where the electorates are tasked with electing representatives who later developed the bill. Among the first people who made significant contributions to the development of the Athenian democracy were Solon (594 BC), Cleisthenes (508/7 BC), Pericles (495 – 429 BC) and Ephialtes (462 BC). Pericles was the longest serving democratic leader who contributed much development in democracy in the city. This paper will give an account of the age of the Pericles.
As perspectives and opinions in the realm of political science are fluid and bound to change, he receives a variety of replies, for the representatives body he sent happen to comprise a Realist, a Liberal and a Constructivist. The variances the philosophies and universal laws his representatives throw back at him intrigue General Cleomedes. He recognizes that within the power play of the world, and the role of Athens as a superpower within the world’s political arena, he must be thoroughly versed in every possible political perspective. Thus, he invites his representatives to share their own view of what transpired between the dialogue between the Melians and the Athenians.